Heavenly mathematics : the forgotten art of spherical trigonometry / Glen Van Brummelen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Van Brummelen, Glen.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Spherical trigonometry.

Trigonometry.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (217 p.)

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton : Princeton University Press, c2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Heavenly Mathematics traces the rich history of spherical trigonometry, revealing how the cultures of classical Greece, medieval Islam, and the modern West used this forgotten art to chart the heavens and the Earth. Once at the heart of astronomy and ocean-going navigation for two millennia, the discipline was also a mainstay of mathematics education for centuries and taught widely until the 1950's. Glen Van Brummelen explores this exquisite branch of mathematics and its role in ancient astronomy, geography, and cartography; Islamic religious rituals; celestial navigation; polyhedra; stereographic projection; and more. He conveys the sheer beauty of spherical trigonometry, providing readers with a new appreciation of its elegant proofs and often surprising conclusions. Heavenly Mathematics is illustrated throughout with stunning historical images and informative drawings and diagrams. This unique compendium also features easy-to-use appendixes as well as exercises that originally appeared in textbooks from the eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries.

Contents:

Heavenly mathematics

Exploring the sphere

The ancient approach

The medieval approach

The modern approach: right-angled triangles

The modern approach: oblique triangles

Areas, angles, and polyhedra

Stereographic projection

Navigation.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781299051256

1299051251

9781400844807

1400844800

OCLC:

825071220